It was free
No entry fee, no booking. Families could just turn up on a hot afternoon.
The short version
Tusmore Wading Pool is a free, shaded toddler pool that was rebuilt in 2021–22, at a reported estimated cost of $1.7 million. Since then, tiles keep lifting from the pool base, and it closed several times last summer. In March, Council ended the season early so the tiles could be fully repaired before this summer. It hasn't reopened yet: Council says the tiling still needs significant repair, and there's no reopening date.
This page isn't about blaming anyone. It's a place for the families who use Tusmore, rely on it and want to see it open again: to show how many of us there are, and to ask the councillors, politely, for one thing that would help in the meantime.
I'm a local parent and I've already raised this with Council myself. This page is a way to show it isn't just one family who misses the pool.
- Redevelopment
- Rebuilt in 2021–22, reopened March 2022Source: Glam Adelaide, 1 November 2021, Glam Adelaide, 9 February 2022
- Reported cost
- Estimated at $1.7 millionSource: Glam Adelaide, 1 November 2021, Glam Adelaide, 9 February 2022
- Why it keeps closing
- Tiles lifting from the pool base, leaving sharp edgesSource: City of Burnside Instagram, 14 Jan 2026, City of Burnside Instagram, 11 Mar 2026
- Last season
- Ended early on 11 March 2026 so the tiles could be fully repaired before next summerSource: City of Burnside Instagram, 11 Mar 2026
- Right now
- Still closed. Council says the tiling needs significant repair and it will confirm a reopening dateSource: City of Burnside Instagram, about 9 Oct 2026, City of Burnside pinned Facebook post, about 9 Oct 2026, City of Burnside: Tusmore Park page
- George Bolton entry, 2026/27
- Adult $9.50, child $8.50, under 4 free with a paying adult in the water, family pass $30Source: City of Burnside: George Bolton admission fees 2026/27
Every fact links to where it was published. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
What's happened
Everything here comes from Council's public posts and published news. Newest first.
Council posts that the pool remains closed over public safety concerns: the tiling needs significant repair, Council is working with the contractor, and it will update once a reopening date is confirmed.
City of Burnside Instagram, about 9 Oct 2026 · City of Burnside Facebook (pinned)
Closed again with many tiles lifted. Council ends the 2025/26 season early, as a full repair (draining, contractor work, refilling) couldn't be finished before the usual April close, and says it looks forward to welcoming people back next summer.
Reopened "just in time for the weekend".
Still closed for repairs as a heatwave approaches over the long weekend; Council suggests George Bolton Swimming Centre instead.
Closed: tiles lifted from the base of the pool, leaving sharp edges that could injure toddlers and children.
More lifted tiles found, so the pool closed for repairs; Council's update says it reopened on Tuesday 30 December.
Reopened. Council says the lifting tiles have been fixed and will be monitored.
Closed for a week in peak season, to repair tiles that had lifted from the pool base and prune the gum trees around it.
ABC Radio Adelaide, 16 Dec 2025; Council notice (no longer online)
Opened for the 2025/26 summer season.
Reopened after the redevelopment (Council had said it would reopen by early March).
Why it matters
Made for little ones
Shallow, shaded and fenced: somewhere toddlers can splash safely.
A summer staple
For lots of local families, it's where summer happens.
The alternative costs
George Bolton Swimming Centre charges $9.50 per adult, every visit.
Do you miss it too?
Add your family to the count. It shows Council how many local families rely on the pool. We only keep your suburb and how many little ones you have, and both are optional.
0 families miss this pool
What we're proposing
While Tusmore stays closed, free entry to the George Bolton Swimming Centre for one adult accompanying a child under 5.
Under-4s are already free, but only with an adult paying $9.50.
3 visits a week $9.50 = about $30 a week
The concession would only run while Tusmore is closed, and end when it reopens. Pool fees are set by Council, which is why the main thing you can do is ask the councillors.
Take action
Email the three councillors who can raise it. It takes two minutes: tap Write to them and a ready-made email opens, addressed to all three. Change anything you like, add your name and suburb, and send.
Please keep it friendly. A short, kind note about what the pool means to your family goes a long way.
The Mayor and Council's general inbox are copied in. If nothing opens, copy the addresses below.
- Cr Lilian HenschkeRose Park & Toorak Gardens wardThe pool is in this wardlhenschke@burnside.sa.gov.au
- Cr Peter CornishRose Park & Toorak Gardens wardThe pool is in this wardpcornish@burnside.sa.gov.au
- Cr Andy XingKensington Park wardNeighbouring ward (Beulah Park, Kensington Park)axing@burnside.sa.gov.au
Meanwhile, where to cool off
Some of these are in the neighbouring council, City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters. Check opening times before you go.
George Bolton Swimming Centre
City of Burnside
Adult $9.50, child $8.50, under 4 free with a paying adult in the water, family pass $30 (2026/27).
Norwood Swimming Centre
32 Phillips Street, Kensington · City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters
Outdoor 50-metre pool with a shaded toddlers' pool. Open for the 2026–27 season.
Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre
194 OG Road, Felixstow · City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters
Newly rebuilt and opened in October 2026, with an outdoor children's splash play area, a learn-to-swim pool and indoor pools open all year.
Dunstan Adventure Playground Free
Winchester Street, St Peters · City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters
Free playground with a hand-pump water play creek. Not a pool, but good for splashing on a warm day.
Know another spot nearby where little ones can splash? Tell us with the form below.
Updates
This page went up, to collect what Council has said publicly about the closure in one place.
Spot something wrong?
We want everything on this page to be accurate and fair. If something is wrong, out of date or missing, tell us here and we'll check it and fix it. Corrections are noted in the updates above.